About Haitians Unified for Development and Education- HUDE

The groundwork to establish Haitians Unified for Development and Education, (HUDE) was first started in 2009, after a meeting of minds with co-founders Marc Philippe and Pierre Celestin. The organization was officially realized in January 2010. HUDE’s mission is to support and empower the Haitian community socially, politically, and academically by developing programs, workshops and extracurricular activities to bond, nurture and educate our community. The HUDE Board of Directors consist of Individuals with professional degrees in Law, Business, Education and Social Work.

Highlights of HUDE events include the January 12, 2013 Haiti Earthquake Vigil in Jersey City, an earthquake fundraising event in 2010, in collaboration with the United Way; participation in demonstrations, including the “Give Aid to Haitian People Now!” demonstration at the New York Haitian Consulate in collaboration with the Haitian Solidarity Network of the North East (HSNNE), the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and other organizations; an annual Haiti Flag Day celebration, general body meetings and seminars addressing issues such as health affairs, financial and social issues; and the HUDE Annual Family Day/BBQ.

HUDE hosts an annual Benefit Gala to honor individuals and organizations for their support and activism in the community. Donations and funds raised from the Gala predominantly assists in funding the HUDE Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to young adults seeking an undergraduate degree. The first scholarship was awarded in 2013.